e were things of which neither the peasant woman nor the two
scouts thought. They ate their breakfast with relish, not having
realized until they saw the food how hungry they really were, and then,
refreshed in mind and body, they began the last stage of their journey
to Huy. They had not so very far to go and they entered the Belgian
city to the tune of the distant cannon at Liege.

In Huy there was little to make one think of war. People were grouped
in the streets, waiting eagerly for the news of what was going on at
Liege, for all sorts of rumors were spreading about. On one side it
was said that England had already declared war and had destroyed the
German fleet; on the other that England had refused to fight at all.
But most of the people of the town went about their business in the
most unconcerned way, as if the invasion of the country could not
possibly affect them, and their own affairs were still the most
important things in the world for them.

There was only a small force of Belgian troops in Huy, as Paul and
Arthur soon learned. And, to their dismay, they found that the officer
in charge refused absolutely to listen to them! He was a pompous,
greatly excited little man, most of whose service had been in the
Congo, and he laughed at the suggestion that they could have
information of value.

"But if you will send a wireless message to Liege Major du Chaillu will
tell you that our information is correct," pleaded Paul. "At least he
will tell you that we gave valuable news before, and that we can be
trusted."

"There are other things for the wireless to do in times like these,"
said the officer pompously. "Be off with you, now. I have no time to
waste on boys!"

"No wonder the Germans can win!" said Paul, bitterly. "What chance has
an army with an officer so stupid as that?"

He had given up the attempt to convince the commandant, for it was
obvious that they would only waste time and breath if they persisted.

"But what are we to do?" asked Arthur. "We must let them know in some
way."

"We must go to Brussels," said Paul. "There are those there who will
know that we can be trusted, and we may find a way of getting a
wireless message through to Major du Chaillu."

But, as they soon found, it was one thing to decide to go to the
capital, and quite another to accomplish their desire. The railway was
choked by military movements. Troops and supplies of all sorts had
usurped every means o